mercredi 22 septembre 2010

For this week's challenge, I invite you to try the Drunken Chalks technique. Here is my example:

First, I made my background using the technique and, once it was completely dry, I simply stamped a silhouette design on it, to ensure that it would come out nicely, without getting lost in the color. The stamp is from the "Nature Silhouettes" set from Magenta (CSET33), available at the store.

You will need:

White glossy cardstock

Your choice of 3 colors of chalk ink

Metallic pigment ink (I used Encore from Tsukineko, in Champagne)

Mini Mister filled with rubbing alcohol

Spray acrylic sealant

Instructions:

Using the direct-to-paper technique, apply the lightest chalk ink color randomly on the glossy cardstock.

mercredi 15 septembre 2010

This week, how about a fun and unusual paint technique? We will use acrylic skins on our ATC.

There are more than one way to create an acrylic skin. For an illustrated how-to of this technique using pouring medium (for a more flexible skin), follow this link.

Variation: Acrylic Paint Only

It is however possible to only spread out a blob of paint on a plastic sheet (a plastic shopping bag works) and let it dry. It might be a little more brittle that the one using the pouring medium, but it does work if you are gentle with it. The degree of humidity in your house will allow the paint to dry faster or slower. If you want to help it along, you might want to try a fan, but stay away from the embossing gun, as it will melt the plastic and make the paint bubble. The best is always to wait it out.

Variation - School Glue

When I was in grade school, when my classmates and I got bored, we would pour white school glue in the palm of our hand and let it dry, then peel it off like a layer of skin. This gave me the idea to try and mix ordinary white school glue with my paint in lieu of pouring medium. I figured, if the medium slows drying time, maybe school glue will do and dry faster. Well, IT WORKS! And it does dry faster (though it retains a little glue scent).

Once completely dry, this skin can be cut like paper or even punched through, which is what I did on my example. The size of the punch used doesn't matter much, but careful to spread the wet mix to make it thin enough to fit the punch.

mercredi 8 septembre 2010

Liquid Pearls is a thick liquid adhesive that gives a pearlescent effect to any project. It comes in small bottles similar to Stickles and, like most scrapbooking products, can be used in multiple ways.

On the above ATC, I simply spread the Liquid Pearls all over the moon, using the tip of my finger. Unfortunately, the scan doesn't do it justice, but I assure you that the effect is very pretty.

Here are a couple of other applications, but feel free to explore!

Mini pearl dots: Add mini pearls to a flourish motif with drops of Liquid Pearls here and there. You will notice that the drops make a little point. It that is the look you are going for, let it dry as is. If, on the other hand, you prefer the soft round pearly look, simply pick up your card and tap underneath with your fingers, it will settle the drops. NOTE: Once dry, Liquid Pearls can be colored, using a Sharpie pen or any other permanent marker, so it may be a good idea to keep a bottle of Opal White in your stash that you can match with any project.

Pearlescent watercolor: Liquid Pearls can also be used for a watercolor effect. To do this, place a drop of Liquid Pearls on a craft sheet or an acrylic block, spray it lightly with water (a Mini Mister is great for this) and mix and pick up color with a fine paintbrush to apply to your project. It will dry with a sheen similar to that of the U.S. Art Quest pearlescent watercolor palettes.

jeudi 2 septembre 2010

This week, the challenge - quite simple - will be to add fabric to your ATC.

As an example, here is mine, followed by the instructions:

Material:

3-in wide ribbon

Batting (I used cotton balls)

2 pieces of cardstock, each measuring 2.5" x 3.5" (or a hair smaller)

Woll and embroidery needle

Double-sided adhesive

Stickles glue in Crystal and Ruby Slippers

Instructions:

Using some double-sided tape, secure the "batting" to one of the cardstock pieces. I simply spread out two cotton balls for mine.

Place ribbon over top - you may want to secure it with adhesive as well, so as to ensure it won't move during the sewing process. If the ribbon has a metal thread, remove it before proceeding.

Sew all around with the embroidery needle and wool. A simple whipstitch (tight, however) is enough. To do that, simply start at the back of the card and go over the side to go back through the back and so forth. Finish with a small tight knot.

Adhere the second piece of cardstock to the back to hide the knots and finish it nicely.